Drying of ink is the process by which the colorant is fixed to the substrate. This can take place by several processes, but mostly by either absorption into the substrate or by evaporation. The rate at which this occurs can greatly affect your printing results.

If the ink dries too quickly, it will clog some or the entire nozzle and prevent the system from working satisfactorily. In some cases, this can present itself as poor restartability. This is where the printer works fine, but once it is stopped and time passes, the printer does not successfully print well.

If the ink dries too slowly, the image can smear; or it can lead to blocking and offsetting. Blocking is where the ink binds the substrate to itself where wounded or stacked. Offsetting occurs when the still tacky ink transfers to handling equipment – like an idler roller – and from there is transferred to non-print areas of the substrate.

Brand M’s Diagnostic Process: This is where an experienced ink developer is key. By examination of faulty product, and – if necessary – onsite observation, we are able to determine how much the drying time needs to change, what options are viable in your printing environment, and what the ink needs to provide good restartability, Brand M will either formulate an ink for you, or recommend how you can modify your printing environment to get the results you want without affecting your product or process. For example, suggesting when installing dryers can solve the problem.